COLLAPSE OF FLATS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18631, 9 May 1932, Page 7

COLLAPSE OF FLATS.

FOLLOWED BY FIRE. LARGE DEATH ROLL FEARED. DOCTOR’S FAMILY PERISH. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received May 9, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Alay 8. A heavy death-roll is feared at Quai d’Herberville, Lyons, where the collapse of two flve-storey blocks of flats situated on the right bank of the Rhone was followed by an outbreak of fire owing to a rupture of the gas tnains. The dead include the well-known ipeolalist, Dr. Joly, his wife and seven children.

There were at least forty-five persons in the building, only ten of whom were rescued.

THIRTY OR THIRTY-FIVE DEATHS. M. HERRIOT’S GALLANTRY. WORKS WITH RESCUERS. (Received Alay 9, 11.45 a.m.) PARIS, Alay 8. It is estimated that between 30 and 35 are dead as the result of the collapse of the flats. The rescuers included AL Herriot, who resides in the neighbourhood. With 50 others he was digging in an attempt to reach the entambled people when a second landslide caused a tremendous fall of earth, injuring the captain of the fire brigade and stopped just -short of AI. Herriot-’s party. AI. Herriot, who is Mayor of Lyons, was urged to retire owing to his political responsibilities -and possibility of becomng Premier. He replied : “If others are endangered I must stay,” and. continued digging imperturbably despite the danger of further subsidences, which eventually led to a temporary abandonment of the efforts to extricate the bodies.

All ‘the neighbouring houses have been evacuated.